Information about requirements

Students are familiar with the natural characteristics (climate, topography, soils and sediments, vegetation, animals) and the development (past, present, future) of ecozones and ecosystems; students are familiar with the varieties of human impact and their effects on ecosystems; students are able to differentiate, to interpret and to evaluate natural processes and the effects of speciﬁc human activities on global, zonal and regional scales.

General information

Course name

Freshwater & Wetland Ecosystems – Field Studies

Course type

Course code

S139

Course coordinator

Prof. Dr. K. Dierßen

Faculty

Institute for Ecosystem Research

Examination office

Short summary

This module focuses on the structure and function of water ecosystems and wetlands. Focus will be analysis of direct interaction between ecosystem types of special importance for nature and resource conservation. Special attention will be given to the reactions of biocenosis to anthropogenic environmental changes. Students will organise and conduct lab projects in groups, as well as participate in excursions. Reports about data management, analysis and presentation method mark the end of each teaching unit.

Information about study level

Study level

Bachelor, Master

Also possible for

Information about credit points, evaluation and frequency

ECTS

6

Evaluation

Protocol

Frequency

Summer semester

Information about teaching language

Teaching language

English

Minimum language requirement

B1

Further information on the teaching language

Information about requirements

Students are able to measure principle ecological processes (e.g. Flood dynamics, sedimentation, primary production, etc.) within ecosystems and to recognize the triggering biotic and abiotic structures. They are able to evaluate the possibilities, limits and informative value of ﬁeld data for ecosystem conservation and management.

Reading list

Additional information

Ecosystem Research - B M - Terrestrial Ecosystems – Field Studies

General information

Course name

Terrestrial Ecosystems – Field Studies

Course type

Course code

S115

Course coordinator

Prof. Dr. J. Schrautzer

Faculty

Institute for Ecosystem Research

Examination office

Short summary

This module focuses on the population/community dynamics and physical processes in terrestrial and semi-terrestrial ecosystems. The course provides knowledge about principal geobotanical techniques, measurements to acquire plant physiological processes, population dynamics of plant species and succession processes within plant communities. Special attention will be given to different restoration concepts currently applied in Central Europe. Exercises are carried out in differently managed forests, wet and dry grasslands, mires and gravel pits.

Information about study level

Study level

Bachelor, Master

Also possible for

Information about credit points, evaluation and frequency

ECTS

6

Evaluation

Report

Frequency

Summer semester

Information about teaching language

Teaching language

English

Minimum language requirement

B1

Further information on the teaching language

Information about requirements

Students are able to measure principle processes within ecosystems and to recognize their biotic and abiotic structure. They are able to evaluate the possibilities, limits and informative value of ﬁeld data for ecosystem conservation and management.

Information about requirements

The module focuses on sedimentary archives of environmental processes. Sample material which is described and taken by the students in the ﬁeld is analyzed in the laboratory. The results of the ﬁeld and laboratory analyses are assembled in a scientiﬁc text simulating a peer-reviewed scientiﬁc publication. This course fosters the ability of the students to analyze environmental data from the sedimentary record on their own. In the end they should present and discuss this data in a boarder scientiﬁc context going beyond a standard lab report. This should enable/prepare them to write scientiﬁc monographs (theses) or peer-reviewed journal articles. Key skills: 1. Designing experiments/ﬁeld work 2. Managing data 3. Publishing data (transforming data into graphs and texts)

Seminar: "Journal Club" should bring the students into contact with the most actual publications as well as with some "classical papers" from high ranking international peer-reviewed journals. The topics of the "Journal Club" are supposed to range from geoarchaeology to archaeometry, archaeological sciences, aDNA, palaeoenvironments and palaeoclimate, covering publications in journals like Nature, Science, PNAS, Quaternary Science Reviews, Journal of Archaeological Science, Journal of Palaeolimnology etc. Every session, one (or occasionally two) paper(s) is presented by one of the participants for ca. 20 min., while all the other participants are supposed to also have read the paper before the session. The presentation is followed by a scientiﬁc debate on the respective paper(s).

General information

Geoarchaeology and Holocene palaeoecology – reconstruction of natural and human

Course type

Course code

S152

Course coordinator

Prof. Dr. H.-R. Bork

Faculty

Institute for Ecosystem Research

Examination office

Short summary

Students get experienced to carry out geoarchaeological and Holocene palaeoecological studies. They learn to collaborate in groups while analyzing, compiling, combining, discussing and interpreting different available data (in part gained from S 152) within the frame of projects. A major aspect is the comparison of palaeoenvironmental results with recent data. Whereas one focus is lead on the analysis another one is set on the presentation (talk) and publication of the results.

Information about requirements

Different palaeoenvironmental data (available from S 152 and earlier projects) are compiled, discussed, interpreted, presented and published by the students. Students are organized in project teams.

Reading list

Additional information

Ecosystem Research - M - Geo-Ecological Regional Processes

General information

Course name

Geo-Ecological Regional Processes

Course type

Course code

S147

Course coordinator

Prof. Dr. H.-R. Bork

Faculty

Institute for Ecosystem Research

Examination office

Short summary

Principles of geomorphology, quaternary geology and soil forming: The regonalised application of adapted methods for geomorphology and quaternary geology at site level and local and regional scales based on case studies from different continents. Regional impact of cultivation measures and conservation concepts based on erosion events, desertiﬁcation and salinisation processes. Principles of geo-botany: plant communities as result of site dependent parameters and plants as habitat forming factors. Characteristics of phytosociological units, identiﬁcation of threats and conservation measures considering site speciﬁc conditions and transregional matter ﬂux.

Information about study level

Study level

Master

Also possible for

Information about credit points, evaluation and frequency

ECTS

6

Evaluation

Oral examination

Frequency

Winter semester

Information about teaching language

Teaching language

English

Minimum language requirement

B1

Further information on the teaching language

Information about requirements

Geo-scientiﬁc-processes: students are familiar with regional and local geomorphological, geological and soil forming processes and they are able to interpret interaction between them and hydrological and climatic systems for the formation of landscape typical structures Geo-botanic processes: students know the fundamental and speciﬁc interactions between sites, plants and plant communities. They are able to identify the availability of resources and their vulnerability to anthropogenic use.

Reading list

Additional information

Ecosystem Research - M - Long Term Analysis of Environmental Trends

General information

Course name

Long Term Analysis of Environmental Trends

Course type

Course code

S151

Course coordinator

Prof. Dr. H.-R. Bork

Faculty

Institute for Ecosystem Research

Examination office

Short summary

Interpretation and analysis of long-term dynamics of landscapes depending on social processes, land-use and natural processes. The natural and anthropogenic components will be differentiated. With the help of examples from different continents the multiple direct and indirect impacts of cultures on landscape characteristics and development will be clariﬁed. In groups case studies will be analysed with the help of the 4-dimensional landscape analysis and evaluated regarding their relevance for current environmental action. Results will be presented in an exhibition to the public.

Information about study level

Study level

Master

Also possible for

Information about credit points, evaluation and frequency

ECTS

6

Evaluation

Report

Frequency

Winter semester

Information about teaching language

Teaching language

English

Minimum language requirement

B1

Further information on the teaching language

Information about requirements

Students are able to identify long-term trends of the development of ecosystems in different landscapes and the dominating processes and structures at different times. Participants are able to evaluate the impact of landscape development regarding current management decisions.

Reading list

Additional information

Geography - M - Coastal Evolution and Protection

General information

Course name

Coastal Evolution and Protection

Course type

Course code

S126

Course coordinator

Prof. Dr. R. Mayerle

Faculty

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Examination office

Examination Office Geography and Geosciences

Short summary

The first part of the course deals with hydrodynamic processes and their response on the coastline. The second part describes the physical processes acting on different types of coastlines, their contribution to the evolution of modern coastal zones and their potential of major changes on coastlines in the future. The third part introduces concepts and practices adopted to protect the coastal environment within an exciting interplay of natural processes and human activities. The final part of the course brings the current practices in the modeling of morphological changes. Examples of the application of numerical models to the prediction of morphological changes over periods of 5-10 years will be presented.

Information about study level

Study level

Master

Also possible for

Information about credit points, evaluation and frequency

ECTS

6

Evaluation

Report

Frequency

Summer semester

Information about teaching language

Teaching language

English

Minimum language requirement

B2

Further information on the teaching language

Information about requirements

Recommended requirements

Preference is given to participants of the M.Sc. program Coastal Information Systems.

Students will be introduced into different kinds of coastal processes on a multidisciplinary basis. They will be provided with knowledge on the evolution of modern coastal zones as a result of physical forcing by considering qualitative and quantitative aspects of water waves, tides and currents. This knowledge is crucial for the assessment of different coastal construction projects and will also be used in numerical modeling of relevant coastal processes. As a result, the students will be able to understand and characterize coastal modification and evolution by natural and anthropogenic processes, and to assess the whole span of coastal protection measures and to appraise their consequences for coastal environments with the help of numerical modeling techniques.

Reading list

Additional information

Geography - M - Economic Geography and Sustainability

General information

Course name

Economic Geography and Sustainability

Course type

Course code

S103

Course coordinator

Prof. Dr. R. Hassink

Faculty

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Examination office

Examination Office Geography and Geosciences

Short summary

Path creation, path dependence and the geography of renewable energy industries Diffusion of renewable energy technologies Diffusion of environmental standards The geography of sustainability transition The co-evolution of technologies and institutional structures Local and regional innovation systems and sustainability Regional economic resilience after shocks Learning region and sustainability Regional innovation policy and sustainability Entrepreneurship and sustainability Routines and sustainability

Information about requirements

Students gain insight into the main natural and social features of German geography. They can identify the most typical German cultural landscapes. They understand the role of spatial diversity in the development of Germany as a nation. They know the basic trends that currently characterize German cities and the countryside. They understand the main patterns of the German economy. They comprehend the basic mechanisms of spatial planning.

Reading list

Additional information

Ocean Research - M - Advanced course in Polar Ecology

General information

Course name

Advanced course in Polar Ecology

Course type

Course code

bioc-266

Course coordinator

Prof. Dr. Dieter Piepenburg

Faculty

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Examination office

Examination Office of the Department of Biology

Short summary

The module provides in-depth information about dominant sympagic, pelagic and benthic organisms (including micro-organisms) and their specific environments in the polar regions of both hemispheres. The course will also cover topics of land-sea interactions, e.g. in estuaries and shelf ecosystems. Besides presen- ting the current knowledge on the general biology and ecology of these organisms, special topics such as threats, population status and conservation issues of habitats for individual species are also addressed with special respect to warming and subsequent man-made changes. The course is a combination of a series of lectures and a literature seminar with oral presentations of the students.

Information about study level

Study level

Master

Also possible for

Information about credit points, evaluation and frequency

ECTS

4

Evaluation

Written Examination

Frequency

Summer semester

Information about teaching language

Teaching language

English

Minimum language requirement

B2

Further information on the teaching language

Information about requirements

The objective of this module is to introduce students to the biology and ecology of polar environments in dif- ferent regions. After completion of the module, students should have a sound knowledge on diversity, habi- tats, life cycles, feeding ecology and adaptations in biology, physiology and behaviour of marine and terre- strial polar organisms.

Reading list

Additional information

Ocean Research - M - Doing Science

General information

Course name

Doing Science

Course type

Course code

bioc-110

Course coordinator

Prof. Dr. Martin Wahl

Faculty

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Examination office

Examination Office of the Department of Biology

Short summary

This module aims at teaching and practicing specific skills necessary for participating in scientific research. Topics to be covered are: Recognition of scientifically interesting questions, formulation of hypotheses, gathering data and designing experiments. Analysis of results and graphic presentation. Written and Oral Scientific Communication. Critical review of scientific literature. Writing a proposal.

Information about study level

Study level

Master

Also possible for

Information about credit points, evaluation and frequency

ECTS

6

Evaluation

Oral presentation and homework

Frequency

Winter semester

Information about teaching language

Teaching language

English

Minimum language requirement

B1

Further information on the teaching language

Information about requirements

Recommended requirements

A bachelor’s degree and participation in a master study programme in a scientific discipline.

This module will equip students to pursue independent scientific research, be able to critically read and judge scientific literature and communicate their results lucidly in oral and verbal form.

Reading list

Additional information

Ocean Research - M - How to write and publish a scientific paper

General information

Course name

How to write and publish a scientific paper

Course type

Course code

bioc-253

Course coordinator

Dr. Avan Antia

Faculty

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Examination office

Examination Office of the Department of Biology

Short summary

This module will address different stages of manuscript writing and publishing answering basic questions such as: When are my data ready for publishing? Where should I publish? How do I structure the manuscript? How to present the data? What is my message? What are the Does and Don’ts of scientific writing? How to deal with the reviewers and editors? How to manage my coauthors? The module will be an interactive seminar.

Information about study level

Study level

Master

Also possible for

Information about credit points, evaluation and frequency

ECTS

2

Evaluation

Not graded

Frequency

summer semester

Information about teaching language

Teaching language

English

Minimum language requirement

B1

Further information on the teaching language

Information about requirements

In this module students will be introduced into the process of manuscript publishing in peer-reviewed scienti- fic journals. The goal of the module is to provide insights into the fun and frustration of paper writing, import- ant rules on manuscript structuring and scientific language as well as how to deal with the reviewing pro- cess. After completion of the module students should be familiar with the general principles of a successful publishing process.

Students will gain demonstrable abilities to evaluate the role of ocean chemistry in major elemental cycles and be able to use these to understand interdisciplinary concepts and principles associated with them.

Reading list

Additional information

Ocean Research - M - Introduction to Biological Oceanography

General information

Course name

Introduction to Biological Oceanography

Course type

Course code

bioc-101

Course coordinator

Prof. Dr. Johannes F. Imhoff

Faculty

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Examination office

Examination Office of the Department of Biology

Short summary

This module will provide a broad overview of the functioning of marine ecosystems and the interactions between organismal groups that determine the cycling of bio-reactive elements in the ocean. Topics to be covered include: Physicochemical conditions in the ocean: large and small scale heterogeneity. Functional groups: micro-organisms, phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthos animals, algae, fishes, sea birds, mammals. Ecophysiology: light and photosynthesis, physiology of picoplankton, primary production, nutrients, microbial loop. Populations and communities: distribution, growth, age structure and demography, interactions, food webs. Biogeochemical cycles: classification of elements and their residence times, sources and sinks of elements, linking c to N, Si, P and Fe, microbiology of C-, N- and S-cycle. Diversity: patterns, significance and loss.Global Change: ocean acidification, global warming and “The Future Ocean”.

Information about study level

Study level

Master

Also possible for

Information about credit points, evaluation and frequency

ECTS

6

Evaluation

Written Examination

Frequency

Winter semester

Information about teaching language

Teaching language

English

Minimum language requirement

B2

Further information on the teaching language

Information about requirements

On completion of this module students should be able to discuss and link key concepts in biological oceano- graphy and fish ecology. They should have an understanding of the importance of functional groups of orga- nisms both in shaping the food web including nekton as well as in elemental fluxes. Students should have enough knowledge to able to read and critically judge current literature on the topics covered.